A Good Guard Dog

Over the next several weeks, Andrew and Maxwell got closer to each other. After the stalker incident, and the fact that Andrew did find the piece of shit lurking around, Maxwell and Andrew spent as much time as either of them could muster together. 

It was usually after the both of them had gotten home from their respective jobs. Maxwell spent quite a bit of his time traveling, and Andrew was pleased to find out more about his new neighbour. From Maxwell's swanky home, that was far too big for someone who lived alone to have, Andrew could tell that he worked a very busy, and very important job. He was also single, and was feeling pressure from his family to marry. He'd had to pull that out of Maxwell one night when they had been drinking together. 

Andrew was happy that he didn't have the same issues. 

He was in an on and off again relationship with one of his coworkers. She worked in a different department than Andrew, where things were much more hush hush. Andrew didn't even have access to the areas of the building she worked. But, she made him happy, and while she had been super busy during the time that Maxwell had moved into the neighbourhood, they made time for each other during their lunch breaks. Andrew had even made them lunch one day, and it had been nice to see her smile. 

Maxwell also seemed pleased to hear that Andrew's relationship was going so well, and was heavily interested in the work that Andrew was doing. Andrew had a feeling that there was more to Maxwell's job then he let on, simply for the fact that he knew what to ask him. Not many people knew what being an environmental scientist meant, and took the title at face value. The fact that Maxwell could ask him detailed questions about his field made him think that Maxwell's job might have something to do with the government, or a rival company. 

He didn't mind either way. It was nice to have someone to hang out with when he was around, and they were having fun. He'd even made Maxwell laugh a few more times, and seen him smile. As far as Andrew was concerned, they were on the fast track to becoming good, close friends. If things continued to progress, Andrew was sure he would invite Maxwell to his wedding. 

~

"Andrew! Are you in?" Andrew, who had been working at home from his laptop, heard the call from his window. Stretching, since he was now distracted from his work, he rolled his shoulders before getting up and heading for the balcony. Looking outside, he found Maxwell dressed in a three piece suit, sunglasses on, and polished loafers on his feet. He was the perfect specimen of a businessman. Andrew leaned against his railing, smiling. 

"I do indeed happen to be in. What do you need, Maxwell?" Maxwell held up a set of keys, dangling them. 

"I need a driver for the night. Would you be willing to help?" Andrew grinned down at the cold faced omega. This had happened a few times now. It was clear that Maxwell had some problems, and they were mostly involving his secondary gender. 

People wanted to possess him. 

Andrew, who had gotten to know him better, knew that Maxwell wasn't the kind of guy to be possessed. In any way. In fact, the idea disgusted him, and Andrew fully understood it. It was an invasion of one's bodily autonomy that another could think that they could possess another. Andrew was strongly against it, and when Maxwell had heard his strong stance on it, while admittedly under the influence of some scotch, Maxwell had proposed a deal. 

Every once in a while, Andrew would dress up in a fancy suit, and pair of prescription sunglasses, and drive Maxwell around town. This was to throw off the scent of any alphas dumb enough to try and hit on him. Maxwell didn't discriminate. He didn't like any alphas, especially the ones sent by his family. 

Andrew wasn't the kind of guy to pry without permission, but he gathered, with context, that Maxwell had a tense relationship with his family. They wanted him to settle down, make a few babies, and continue on the family line. Andrew could tell that all the hard work that Maxwell was doing was very fulfilling to him, and that his family didn't understand that. 

So, being the supportive neighbour and friend that he was, whenever Maxwell needed him, he would offer himself up on a silver platter. It was one of the few times he got to use how big he was for good, and it made him feel needed. 

Shaking his head, Andrew leaned his head against his arm on the railing, smiling down at the other man. 

"Of course. Just give me a few minutes to tidy up and send my file along." Maxwell gave a nod in acknowledgement before he went back into his house. Chuckling, Andrew watched him go, before turning himself and rushing to get ready. He only had one suit, and thankfully it still fit. He was going to have to get a new one soon. His arms were getting a little tight in it. Which made sense. He'd had this suit since he graduated the first time from university. 

Rushing to his closet, he pulled off his shirt and pants before quickly pulling on the suit, throwing some gel into his hair, and grabbing his prescription sunglasses. He even pulled on a pair of gloves. It really made him feel like a servant, and every time Maxwell saw them he rolled his eyes. 

He lived for the little accents that proved that Maxwell wasn't the stiff man he pretended to be. He enjoyed the time they spent together, late into the evening when Maxwell had had a few too many drinks and was laughing, and liberal with his jokes. He had a feeling that wouldn't be the same if he was an alpha. 

Heading downstairs after sending off the file, Andrew met Maxwell in his garage. Smiling, he joined Maxwell, who had been finishing up a cigarette, to the side of the car he had selected for the day. 

All of Maxwell's cars were black. This included interior as well, with leather details and fine workmanship. The only difference Andrew could find between them was that they had different models. Some were automatic, and some were stick shift. 

The car he had chosen today was automatic, but still worth as much as Andrew's family home. He smiled as Maxwell glanced at him, before dropping his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out, exhaling. 

"You took longer than normal." He said, and Andrew nodded. 

"The file took longer to confirm than normal. Are you ready? Where are we going today?" Andrew asked as Maxwell went around the side of the car, getting into the passenger seat. Whistling, Andrew got into the driver's seat and Maxwell passed him the keys. Immediately Maxwell began typing away on his phone, and Andrew sat waiting for two reasons. 

One, he wanted to know where he was going, and two, Maxwell hadn't put his seatbelt on yet. 

"We're headed downtown. I have a meeting with a couple of alphas that I need to make sure they don't overstep. My fa-My company has had some issues where these alphas have tried to take advantage of others. Betas, omegas, anyone they think is weaker." Andrew smiled, his hands on the wheel, waiting. Maxwell, after finishing speaking, realised that the car wasn't moving. "Andrew? Is there something wrong?" He asked, and Andrew smiled. 

"You don't have your seatbelt on." He told him, and Maxwell stared at him. They'd had this argument before, and it was clear he was still in disbelief over it. He lowered his phone, sighing. 

"Why are you so insistent on safety?" He asked, and Andrew felt a pang in his chest, before he smiled at Maxwell. Maxwell sighed when he didn't answer, and pulled on his seatbelt. "You are surprisingly stubborn." He muttered, and with the seatbelt on, Andrew turned on the car and began to move, whistling. 

"My Mother always called me unassuming. That I was like a friendly dog, but when you tried to play with me, I wouldn't let go of my toy." Maxwell tried to contain his snort as Andrew pulled them out of the driveway. He eventually failed, and burst into laughter. 

"Your Mother was right. You are exactly like that." He snorted. "Like a dog." He couldn't contain himself, holding his stomach as he laughed. Andrew was happy he found it amusing. His Mother had a great sense of humour. "You know, it really suits you. I think your spirit animal must be a dog." Andrew felt Maxwell's gaze slide to him, but he kept his eyes on the road. It wasn't super late into the evening, but he didn't want to be the reason they got into an accident. 

"Well, if I was to take a guess, I'd say you're like a cat." Andrew told him cheerfully, letting his face relax into a more harsh expression. He knew that people were going to look at him now, and Andrew wanted to be exactly what Maxwell needed. A toughened guard who was also his driver. 

Honestly, he had no idea why he didn't have that already. 

"Oh? I had no idea you saw me that way. I'm like a cat around you?" Maxwell asked, and Andrew chuckled. 

"Yes. You were quite hard to get close to when I first met you. I felt like you had your back arches, ready to hiss and attack if I got too close." They slid to a stop and Andrew slid his gaze towards him. Maxwell was staring at him. "Don't worry, I like cats, and I've also had plenty of friends who have the same personality as you. Thankfully, you came to me first, and here we are." Maxwell snorted, turning his face away from the other man. 

Andrew refrained from smiling. He knew that Maxwell didn't handle expressing his emotions well, like a cat. Anyone who didn't know cats well thought of them as expressionless creatures, when they were far from it. They did have emotions and their expressions did change, they were just usually subtle with their happier emotions, and obvious with their displeasure. 

Maxwell didn't say anything else to Andrew besides directions after that, having to answer a phone call that kept him from chatting with Andrew. He didn't mind. Instead of chatting with his new friend, Andrew went through all the steps he would need to do at his next site visit, and how he was going to threaten the head of safety this time around. His old methods were seeming to not have a big of an effect. 

Maxwell gestured to a hotel, and dubiously, Andrew pulled in front. The two of them remained in the car while it idled, and Maxwell finished his phone call. The whole time, Andrew grew more worried by the second. 

When Maxwell finished his phone call and was about to leave the car, Andrew grabbed his shoulder. 

"You said this was a meeting?" Andrew confirmed, and Maxwell nodded, seeming confused as to why Andrew was asking. Andrew sighed, before putting the signal on and pulling out of the loading zone and into an actual spot. Normally, he let Maxwell do whatever he needed, and he stayed close by in a café or something. Or, he went home and waited for the pick up call. 

Today appeared not to be that day. 

"I don't like the idea of that. The meeting is in the restaurant here? Or a board room?" Maxwell, confused, answered. 

"It's in the restaurant. Why? You normally are never like this." Maxwell said, and Andrew unbuckled his seat belt before turning towards him. 

"True, but you also casually mentioned that these alphas are known harassers. I have no doubt that they are going to try to drug you, and take you up into a hotel room they've already booked for the night." Maxwell's eyes went wide, before he burst into laughter. 

"They wouldn't dare, Andrew, but I appreciate your concern." Andrew, who had been listening to Maxwell but was also decidedly ignoring him, pulled out his glasses case he'd shoved into his pocket and pulled on his regular glasses. Maxwell made a face, but said nothing at the difference in appearance. 

He knew the glasses he wore were a little goofy. That was by design. Andrew had inherited a lot of his father's features, including his height. He wore the glasses that he did to soften his features, and make others less afraid of him. It worked for him, even if now he was kicking himself that he didn't have a second pair. 

"Maxwell, of course they would. Alphas will do anything if they can get away with it." Maxwell glanced at Andrew, surprised at the vitriol those words were spoken with. Maxwell didn't like alphas, hell, it bordered on hatred, but Andrew? Andrew hated alphas, but he'd never disclosed why. He also spoke with great authority on their behaviours, and Maxwell found that he couldn't dispute a single thing he said. 

For someone who claimed to be just a beta, it certainly didn't feel that way.